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Banned: A Social Media Trial

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A social media trial can break you. There were 100,000 tweets of abuse for days on end, all premised on a set of untruths pushed by someone hugely powerful because he had played for the national team. Against the entitled, I never stood a chance. The online trial forced me and the family to draw on every last bit of inner strength, and yet left permanent scars.

Having served the ban, I wanted closure in the form of this book. But no one knows better that there will never be a full stop. I will not get back the two years of opportunities that I lost, or the days and evenings when I was almost a stranger to my daughter. For two years, my wife and I never had a quiet dinner where we could just relax. There was not one evening when we didn’t discuss the issue and the book. Which outsider can quantify the impact it had on the mental health of my family? On my wife, my mother, my sister and my daughter? I became cynical about a number of things, and it will be tough to change that.
Writing this book and putting the truth out there has drained and exhausted me. The truth is that the falsehoods piled up against me, ratified by all-knowing social media trolls, changed my life and that of my family. There is no going back to what we were. This was our Long Covid.

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

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15 people want to read

About the author

Boria Majumdar

70 books22 followers
Boria Majumdar, a Rhodes scholar, is a Research Fellow at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He has taught at the Universities of Chicago and Toronto and has written extensively on the history and politics of cricket in India and across the world. Deputy Executive Academic Editor of the International Journal of History of Sport and Executive Academic Editor of Sport in Society, he is General Editor of the Routledge Series, 'Sport in the Global Society'. Some of his books include Twenty-Two Yards to Freedom: A Social History of Indian Cricket (2004), Goalless: The Story of a Unique Footballing Nation (2006) and The Illustrated History of Indian Cricket (2006).

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Profile Image for Saswata Guha.
67 reviews3 followers
May 29, 2024
Book: Banned: A Social Media Trial
Author: Boria Majumdar
Publisher: Simon and Schuster India
Published: 2024
Genre: Non Fiction-Memoir
ISBN: 9788197042638
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Social media trials are menacing because they can lead to mob mentality, spread misinformation, and ruin lives without accountability. They thrive on anonymity and lack of regulation, often resulting in bullying, harassment, and real-world consequences for innocent individuals.

In 2022, esteemed cricket journalist Boria Majumdar found himself engulfed in a harrowing social media trial following allegations made by a cricketer. The cricketer's Twitter post (now X) suggested that Majumdar had engaged in bullying and threatening conduct, triggering a furious online response that persisted for days. What was particularly distressing about this ordeal was the extent to which it extended beyond Majumdar himself, dragging his family into the maelstrom of controversy. The unjustified two-year ban from covering cricket matches, attending games, and interviewing players had a profound impact on Boria Majumdar, both personally and professionally. Stripped from his professional domain as a reputed cricket journalist for decades, it dealt a significant blow to his sense of identity and purpose, considering his deep involvement and passion for cricket journalism.

This book (Banned: Social Media Trial) is not only Boria Majumdar's incident but also a reminder to each one of us that how ugly and one sided social media is. This act of leveraging social media allowed the cricketer to quickly disseminate their allegations to a wide audience, amplifying the impact and initiating a chain reaction of reactions and responses from followers and fans. The cricketer's use of social media not only tarnished Majumdar's reputation but also fueled the intense scrutiny and backlash that followed, contributing to the escalation of the social media trial. The vitriol and harassment directed at Boria Majumdar were distressingly pervasive, crossing the line of decency and compassion. Such reprehensible behavior not only deepened the anguish experienced by the Boria Majumdar and his family but also underscored the alarming power of social media to incite cruelty and harm.

What is even more distressing is that the author showcases numerous incidents where he was never given the opportunity to present his side and facts. This includes apex cricket body, some of his colleagues and even those who the author considered as well wishers. Despite the principles of natural justice, Boria Majumdar was denied the opportunity to present his side of the story amidst the social media trial. The rapid and unforgiving nature of online discourse often bypasses traditional notions of fairness and due process. In this instance, the virality of the accusations against Majumdar overshadowed any chance for him to offer a rebuttal or provide context to the situation. The absence of a balanced dialogue deprived Majumdar of his right to be heard and further exacerbated the injustice of the situation.

This deeply personal book stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of perseverance in the face of adversity and the commitment to truth. Throughout its pages, the author meticulously presents compelling evidence to substantiate his narrative, countering the barrage of falsehoods hurled against him. By offering a candid account of his experiences and providing substantiated facts, the author confronts and dispels the fabrications that sought to tarnish his reputation. In doing so, he not only vindicates himself but also underscores the importance of standing firm in pursuit of justice and integrity, regardless of the challenges encountered along the way.

The narrative also sheds light on Boria Majumdar's coping mechanisms, particularly with the unwavering support of his wife, Sharmistha Gooptu. It delves into his conversations with figures like Pullela Gopichand. Ravichandran Ashwin, Sachin Tendulkar and Abhinav Bindra, highlighting the strength derived from relationships with individuals such as Debasis Sen and Trisha Ghosal. Additionally, it explores significant milestones in his professional journey, such as the launch of "Maverick Commissioner," a book on Lalit Modi, and the ascension of Revsportz as a leader in digital sports media.

Majumdar's portrayal of his mind space goes beyond mere self-expression, serving as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through his unwavering commitment to truth and integrity, he emerges as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding readers of the transformative power of perseverance and courage.

By chronicling his journey with unflinching honesty and vulnerability, Majumdar underscores the urgent need for greater empathy, critical thinking, and accountability in the digital age. His story serves as a rallying cry for readers to challenge the culture of online vigilantism and to strive for a more compassionate and just society.

This book (Banned: Social Media Trial) should be read by everyone to gain a deeper understanding of the perils of social media trials and to be inspired by the courage and resilience of the human spirit. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, integrity, and solidarity in the fight against injustice, both online and offline.

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Profile Image for The Biblioraptor (Ankit).
90 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2024
In February of 2022, just as the terror of COVID-19 was beginning to subside, a conflict between two major figures in the Indian sports industry flooded Twitter (now X). Indian batsman-wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha had allegedly been bullied by a ‘respected’ journalist ‘after’ having been dropped from the Test team that year. Saha’s screenshots made rounds on the platform, initially having disturbed the virtual nest of angry cricket fans, and later being picked up by the media and speculated upon. As the ripples were felt further, this unnamed journalist (already assumed as Boria Majumdar), uploaded a video presenting his side of things. As things stood, it became only another place for the kangaroo court to pass absolute judgment. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formed and appointed a three-member committee of Rajeev Shukla, Arun Singh Dhumal, and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia to probe further into the matter. Even before any hearing was scheduled, the court of trolls had made its decision, and as if in agreement, the BCCI imposed a 2-year ban on Majumdar.

On multiple instances across the pages of Banned: A Social Media Trial, Boria Majumdar reminds the reader that
“… a social media trial can break you. It forces you to draw on every last bit of inner strength, and yet leaves a permanent scar. I wanted closure in the form of this book. But no one knows better that there will never be closure.”
Majumdar has a few things to say after the eventual lift of his imposed ban: One, he had messaged The Cricketer much before his being dropped from the team, but from much before in a separate context; two, despite The Cricketer’s attempt to not reveal the identity of the journalist, the “YPU” in one of the messages in the screenshot led to the eventual speculations about their identity. When Majumdar came out to reveal his side of the story, the damage had already been done: his family and his brainchild, Revsportz, bore the brunt of it all. Abuses were hurled at Boria Majumdar, his wife, mother and child, and any association with Revsportz was seen as bad optics.

The ensuing damage to his and his family’s reputation and mental health has often been downplayed, as the author seems to imply, within the discourse of this controversy. The only one who was spared from a full blow was his daughter as she simply was too young to understand. To handle a company on the verge of crumbling, the Boria and Sharmistha spent the entirety of their life’s savings.

This book follows his struggles after the “social media trial” that he was subjected to, which branded him guilty even before any committee was formed, revealing the darker side of social media. The author does not intend it as a defence but as the formation of a new narrative that takes into account his side of things, which the mainstream media had failed to do according to him. Banned begins with an overview of the YPU controversy, a common typo that he has often found himself to be associated with. He then reveals how he and The Cricketer had been on good terms until one day, out of nowhere, the screenshots were shared without his notice. When the comments started pouring in, he became aware of what had happened, and while he waited for things to subside so that things may be dealt with more professionally, the issue kept burning, whether intentionally or not. The rest of the book is, I feel, meant only as a revelation for the public to what happens to a “social media pariah”, and also as a letter of gratitude to all those who stood beside Majumdar as he struggled to stand strong through a storm of hateful and often vulgar comments.

As clearly intended by Majumdar, the book also initiates a conversation around the ethics of journalism. It questions the rights of trolls participating in social media shaming and cancel culture as well as the responsibilities of the anonymous netizens.

Disclaimer: The opinions presented on Banned: A Social Media are of the author of this essay, while those on the controversy discussed above belong to the author of the book.


Profile Image for Piyali Kundu.
37 reviews6 followers
June 8, 2024
I’m not non-fiction person to be specific, but when I came across this book, I knew that I had to pick it up!

Needless to say that Boria Majumdar is one of India’s leading sports journalist, whose life took a drastic turn at the blink of an eye.

Before reading this review or book, I would urge you to do your fair share of background research on this particular issue. It will give you a proper insight into the entire backdrop of this book. And because the name of the Cricketer is not explicitly mentioned in the book, googling it beforehand would be better.

Okay so, this book revolves around how Boria Majumder was falsely accused and penalised for something which he had not done. This book talks about how a single tweet from an influential person (in this case an Indian Cricketer) can turn the life of a common person totally upside-down. We all know that a coin has two sides to it, so does a story half-known. Boria Majumder was never given a chance to put forward his side of the story and had to go through a prolonged ban. This not only penalised his career in journalism, but his mental health and had a huge impact on his family members (his daughter, wife and mother). A social media trial is the worst way of putting out a judgement and jeopardizing someone’s life that too with incomplete information.

With this comes certain very challenging questions-
Q1- Are we supposed to jump into conclusion on by going through on side of the story?- NO.
Q2- Is social media a powerful tool in the current time and are we supposed to use it carefully?-YES, YES.
Q3- Is power dynamics a real thing in our society and do people misuse it?- Of course YES.

This book delves deep into such challenging questions that the society throws at us from time to time. No doubt the writing is top-notch, and is bound to hit all the nerves. The narrative felt pretty personal, as if Boria Majumder is directly talking to me, and asking me to see what a massacre he and his family has gone through. This book is a close account to all the details of this case, what happened, what all didn’t happen, and how social media trolls and tweets can be so detrimental so often. This book will definitely help you dig deeper into the truth, unmask the bigotries, and help you form a totally different perspective towards this case.

This candidly written final closure to the two-year ban of this renowned journalist will leave you angry, awestruck, and definitely make you question the authorities.

Do give it a read!
Profile Image for Artistic Amy.
194 reviews4 followers
June 9, 2024
Are you ready to be absorbed into the enthralling world of social media trials with “Banned” by Author Boria Majumdar. It's a thrilling memoir of the author. In this riveting exposé, Majumdar dauntlessly shares his own experience. To reveal the harsh truths of cyberbullying. With the raw storytelling, the author takes you through the perilous landscape of online condemnation. for being so honest and transparent in telling his story. In the era of digital technology, Majumdar emphasizes the need for more empathy, critical thinking, and accountability.
Summary:
The book delves into the repercussions of a single tweet that sets off a wave of abusive behavior on social media. It specifically focuses on the experience of Boria Majumdar. He is a sports journalist who faced condemnation without being able to provide his perspective. The book effectively highlights the far-reaching and chilling effects of subjecting individuals to public trials on social media. Underscoring the lasting impact it can have on their lives.
The narrative also looks at how Boria Majumdar handled difficulties. particularly with the help of Sharmistha Gooptu, his wife. The encounters he had with people like Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Sachin Tendulkar are discussed. stressing the significance of ties with individuals such as Trisha Ghosal and Debasis Sen. It also touches on significant junctures in his professional life. For example, Revsportz's ascent in digital sports media and the publication of "Maverick Commissioner"

Positives Of The Book:
⭐ The story is bold and candid telling about the harsh realities of cyberbullying.
⭐ This story captures the depth of the emotional toll taken on his family and the impact on his mental health.
⭐ It also exposes power dynamics and entitlement in the morality of social media trials.

Rating:
This thoughtful analysis of resiliency and the price of truth in the digital world is heartwarming. Readers will be motivated by his story to actively combat online vigilantism and work toward a more compassionate and equitable society. I would rate "Banned" a solid 4/ out of 5 stars in light of this acknowledgment.
Profile Image for Deotima Sarkar.
873 reviews28 followers
May 14, 2024
Banned by Boria Majumdar is a stark, poignant and eye-opening account of the devastating impact of social media backlash on an individual and his family. Majumdar courageously shares his personal journey through two tumultuous years of unjust condemnation and public scrutiny triggered by a single tweet. As he vividly portrays the toll on his family and career, I was confronted with the harsh reality of online trials by social media, where truth is often never given a chance under a barrage of abuse and falsehoods.
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Majumdar's narrative serves as both a cathartic release and a powerful cautionary tale, urging for empathy and ethical journalism in the digital era. Through his courageous account, he sheds light on the human cost of virtual judgments, advocating for accountability and fairness in online discourse. His words resonate deeply as he reflects on the irreparable damage inflicted on his life and the lives of his loved ones, illustrating the long-lasting scars left by relentless online abuse. I think it's a point we should all think about before raising a finger on any individual - what will it mean for his/her family, which is just like yours?
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Reading Banned is a sobering reminder of the power and reach of social media, and the urgent need for compassion and integrity in online interactions. Majumdar's raw honesty and unwavering resilience makes this book a compelling and thought-provoking read, inviting readers to reflect on the consequences of unchecked virtual judgment and the importance of standing up for truth and justice in the face of adversity.
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I am glad that irrespective of the truth, the struggle, the ban and the unrest the event has got, he has come out with resilience and mostly for his daughter, his wife, his mother, his sister - who stood by him 🙏
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Why should you read it you ask? - because we all use social media and often casually and often without thinking of the impact on the other side!
This will be an eye opener.
Profile Image for Rahul Vishnoi.
820 reviews26 followers
May 19, 2024
-A Tale of Trolls and How to Crush Them-
Review of 'Banned'
✒️📖

Around Feb in 2022 erupted a scandal on Indian cricket scene that led to a two year ban on Boria Majumdar, an Oxford educated cricket journalist and entrepreneur, restricting him from covering cricket in India.

This book is a story of that ban, the relentless trolling on Twitter, how it affected Majumdar and his family, how some of his friends remained silent (not wishing him on his birthday on social media), and what thoughts ran through his head as he sat watching his reputation been shred apart by online trolls.

More than the social media trial, this book is a story of Majumdar's resilience, his comebacks, the anecdotes he shared that gave him confidence. My favorite are the ones where he recalls his meetings with R Ashwin, PV Sandhu, Pulela Gopichand and many more.

Majumdar is an acclaimed journalist and author, having penned an official biography of Sachin Tendulakar and a book on Lalit Modi (Maverick Commissioner). He writes about the ban with anger and pain but doesn't let it define him. After the ugly incident, he goes to Oxford and tries to claw back to his sanity.

Even though the book is about the 2 year ban on Majumdar, the most interesting bits of the book are where he meets different sportspersons and athletes who all have words of encouragement with him. His journey to find his dignity back is heartwarming and readers will find themselves warming up to him, muttering, 'but 2 year ban is too much for one text.'

Majumdar's pain shows in his writing. For him, the ban is not of 2 years but of 730 days. He repeats many times in his book how it affected his diabetic mother and his wife. At least his daughter was not old enough to be on social media, he writes, or it would have been difficult for her.

Banned, although carries a heavy subject matter at its heart, the book is an easy read and Majumdar has written it in a way that you jump from chapter to chapter, finishing it at one go.
Profile Image for shruti.
287 reviews8 followers
June 17, 2024
“But, by then, the kangaroo court of trolls, which feasts on hatred and social media negativity, had already declared my guilt, and trolls were my jury.”



It takes only a moment—only one single moment—and maybe a single person to ruin everything you have worked for. Boria Majumdar, a sports journalist, detailed his social media trial ordeal in his book *Banned*. It takes a dive into what he says is the "darkest time of his life."

I did not know what the controversy was about before diving into the book. I occasionally follow cricket and only know the top names, so this incident had escaped my notice. Once I read the first few pages, I went online and googled the story—the original tweet and the attached screenshot. Initially, the journalist did come off as aggressive, and perhaps anyone without context might see it that way. As I read on, I came to understand what happened, and I could no longer see him in a bad light. With the ample proof provided in the book, there is no doubt about who the guilty party is. It is utterly sad how one tweet could ignite such a firestorm against a person, his family, and his loved ones.

The age of the internet has taken people's sanity more than it has given any. This is not the first time, and as long as the power of anonymity remains, it won’t be the last. From a narrative standpoint, it felt repetitive at times. However, it gave the feeling that I was in a conversation with the author. His writing style was very personal and felt like he needed to get it out after two years of keeping it inside him. From that viewpoint, I really enjoyed reading this book. Everyone, whether they know about this incident or not, needs to read this book. It must serve as a lesson that one-sided stories can ruin lives, and the perception of celebrities as infallible must be diminished.



For more such detailed reviews, check out my bookstagram: www.instagram.com/mystic_tales_tintin
Profile Image for Nisa Parveen Shaikh.
154 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2024
𝑆𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑖𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ.

“Banned” is the author's closure to the social media trial he had to go through. It is him finally putting out his part of the narrative into the world.

To be very honest, I don't keep much tabs on sports; hence I had no inkling about the controversy that erupted on Twitter (now X) in 2022. So I did some background reading to familiarize myself with both narratives.

Now, coming to the book, the writing style is similar to articles or write-ups but it fits perfectly to the story it portrays. Initially, I found it challenging to immerse myself in the book due to my unfamiliarity with the subject matter and the controversy. However, the book’s flow ultimately made it an engaging read. I also liked how the author has kept the identity of many of the characters hidden.

It has the author's detailed account of the events as well as the efforts he put into recovering from the situation. It also showcases how, when we go through tough times, we are not suffering alone; our family, friends, and supporters also go through that suffering with us.

It truly highlights how powerful social media has become nowadays. It reveals how most users on social media don't care about the truth but only about going viral. Anyone on social media will side with the narrative that has more support, regardless of their understanding of the issue. The book also shows how difficult it has become to separate the truth from the viral content.

This book is an essential read for anyone involved in sports, especially if you are familiar with the controversy. While critics and those who spread negativity will continue their efforts, it’s important for those of us committed to spreading kindness to remain vigilant.
Profile Image for Sukaina Majeed.
748 reviews46 followers
June 10, 2024
Banned: a social media trial by Boria Majumdar covers the story of the journalist who was claimed by a test cricketer to be threatening him which resulted him into undergoing a social media trial in 2022 which led to the ban of the journalist for two years and the abuse his family faced from faceless accounts on social media. Boria takes you through what happened on the day and shares his personal conversations 55 days before his tweet went out of Boria Majumdar threatening the cricketer.
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While Boria recollects what eventually happens,he shares the biggest, closest people who left his side and the photos leaked of his family and the fandom going on a rampage of abusing, insulting, humiliating his family for two years.
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Now, the moment I will post this review someone will certainly come to it saying it's one side of the story. But isn't that what the media did? Did they ever come to Boria? Ask his side of the story.
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So to understand the 2 decades Boria gave to sports journalism one needs to also realise how easy it is to make a narrative that's believable from one side. That's why it becomes important to do your own research, your own work before jumping to conclusions.
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Banned reminds us of how social media can affect careers, families and when people get bored they jump to the next thing. Why does it become so easy for us to become a part of the herd. Are we that gullible? Have our critical thinking and analytical skills gone down the drain.
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We all somewhere in one way or the other became a troll. It will be called a bias book as Boria agrees to but so far he doesn't care but yes my takeaway certainly is before jumping to conclusions read about both the sides.
Profile Image for Anjali.
85 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2024
"Banned -A Social Media Trial" by Boria Majumdar is a powerful memoir, that gives details of how a social media trial impacted itself as well as its family members. The novel highlights negative implications often associated with false accusations and abuse over the internet. Boria Majumdar is a sports reporter who was unfairly criticised and prohibited from working by BCCI for two years. Among this wave of over one hundred thousand tweets that were abusive towards him, he had to find strength within himself and face the consequences it brought upon his family. Majumdar was supported at that time by Abhinav Bindra, who was India’s first ever individual Olympic champion in shooting, and by Pullela Gopichand too who famously became and badminton coach in 2001 after winning the championship at All England. The book will illuminate past interactions between Majumdar and the cricketer, the context behind their messages which were used against him as well as how those messages were misconstrued out of context that led to negative representations. The book belongs to the genres of memoir writing and non-fiction writing. It has mixed personal storytelling with social commentary. Therefore, it is a recommended book for people who are keen on how media ethics relates to social media influence. In essence, the book has emphasized on the issue of fairness as well as responsible conversation in the internet and narrative appears to be straightforward, unfiltered and self-analyzing and the story of the book illustrates how cruel social media backlash can be, leaving scars that will never heal on the victim. It was a great read and anyone can read this book.
7 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2024
Can the news on social media be trusted? We are so engrossed and obsessed with it that one post can make everyone start hyping over it without giving a second thought that these can be fabricated; and that there’s also another side to the coin. This non-fiction is such a story of a sports journalist who was falsely accused of threatening a cricketer, and just a post going viral not only changed but affected his life as well as his family’s.
He calls the social media ‘kangaroo courts’. Talking about its power, he writes: “Kangaroo courts have existed since the beginning of the time, but social media has amplified their power manifold.” People who don’t even know the accused, or anything about the matter, engage to post against him just for a few likes or a couple of followers, without thinking about the outcome and the damage it can cause to the concerned person. A viral post led to the author being banned without being asked to put forward his side of the story –such is the power of social media. It can even subvert the justice system that says “innocent until proven guilty”. Not even media houses cared to give a fair chance to present his side of the story.
The author writes about his struggle, both at the personal front and the professional, in these two years of ban imposed on him. His hard work to get back on the field attracted more comments from the haters but he didn’t let them win. This book supposedly comes out to be a closure, as the author says, that was needed by him and his family.
Profile Image for Kshitij Bajpai.
274 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2024
Book Review Ahead»»

Book - Banned
Author - Boria Majumdar
Pages - 224
Published - April 23 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐½/5
February of 2022 saw a noticeable surge of posts on Twitter from India, on India's love: cricket. But it wasn't for the Indian Cricket Team had won a tournament or lost one, but because a cricketer had tweeted how Boria Majumdar, a respected sports journalist had allegedly threatened him. What followed was a stream of tweets, over one lakh in numbers in a single week. What followed was a two year exile for Majumdar from covering cricket for his company, and the book Banned discusses the same.
A book that is so personal, there are always chances it might not receive the deserved or expected response. Banned, I think will garner the deserved solidarity towards Majumdar because of how well the events of the two year ban are discussed, how well Majumdar wrote the book and of course, how personal the book is.
The writing is a bit different from what Majumdar usually writes in his articles but for valid reasons. While his articles portray his excellence of observation, the book raised questions alongwith fits of aggression, confusion and at times, even fear for himself and his family.
The way Majumdar recollected the events was quite commendable as the book is full of a great number of social media posts, articles and conversations.
I do think the author should have named the cricketer who made that tweet as searching for the man is just a click away on the Internet.
Banned is a memoir of rising from ashes, resilience and courage.
Profile Image for Tanushri.
174 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2024
When you are working in any media field, you meet a lot of people. Especially if you a Journalist. But one day someone posted something controversial on a social media platform with half baked facts and suddenly everyone blames you. This book, Banned, is one such story written by the same person who faced all these, by Boria Majumdar.

Though not a fan of non fiction book, i picked this book after reading the book blurb. Because i always wondered about these trolls and social media trials. Its looks dangerous and emotionally draining which can make or break someone. Hence, when i saw a book written by Boria Majumdar himself, i was eager to read it.
When a famous cricketer blames a sports journalist and posts thier chats on a social media platform for threatening him, no one checks the facts, instead blame the journalist. Then he is banned by BCCI for two years. The trolling is not limited to him but his family and his company, RevSportz are facing the brunt of this social media trails too.

Written with proper facts and in an easy language, reading this book was a surprise. But in the midst of all this trolling, strength and support of friends and family is what needed the most. As it is mentioned by the author, "This has been the hardest book to write". It is evident that writing this book gave the author an outlet for his angst. I would recommend this book to every book lover since social media trials are very common now. Definitely a 4 out of 5 stars for me!
403 reviews5 followers
June 29, 2024
A social media trial can break you. There were 100,000 tweets of abuse for days on end, all premised on a set of untruths pushed by someone hugely powerful because he had played for the national team. Against the entitled, I never stood a chance. The online trial forced me and the family to draw on every last bit of inner strength and yet left permanent scars.

In today's world, when our lives are surrounded towards social media and we often do not realise how it can impact anyone's/someone's life. Banned is a book which has been written in a form of Memoir wherein the author has emphasises on one anecdote that how one tweet has changed his life upside down and also didnt get the chance to share his side of the story. How a faceless tweet can impact someone life is the biggest takeaway from this book. The book is written with a straightforward narrative and honest story telling make this book is an honest memoir. Though I am not a big fan of cricket but to understand the controversy in detail, I googled certain things. The title of the book is well versed with the anecdote of the book.

How that one episode led to his ban by BCCI and how family, friends, and well wishers have supported him during this testing time.

Loved the book as it shares the fresh perspective in a way of the memoir. 
Profile Image for Sohinee Reads & Reviews (Bookarlo).
351 reviews274 followers
June 5, 2024
We all know the power of social media by now. Whether we admit it or not, we all have been gullible enough to believe whatever we see on social media at some point in our lives. With the disposal of social media at the hands of people, there have been a rise in the cases of cyberbullying.

In his book, Boria Majumdar offers an earnest portrayal of a scenario where a single tweet from a famous cricketer puts the fans into a frenzy and soon turns into a series of trolls attacking the journalist and his family without even allowing him to present his side of the story.

This book, in a way, acts as a final closure to the 2 year ban that the author faced, how it affected his mental health, his struggles, the fall of his extremely rewarding career, the people who supported him during this time and the ones who stood as silent bystanders and how he tried to bounce back.

Banned is also about the power of social media and how one statement can spiral out of control and ruin a person's home and career. It's a reminder for us to take everything with a grain of salt.
Profile Image for Swarnali Karar.
577 reviews18 followers
June 9, 2024
This book is a powerful look at the damaging effects of online abuse. The author, who is a sports journalist has shared his painful experience of facing nonstop social media attacks, driven by influential people and false accusations. With over 100,000 abusive tweets, the impact on his life was severe.

In this book, it's described the deep emotional and mental toll the ban took, how it took away special moments with the author's daughter and disrupted peaceful dinners with his wife. The book follows his tiring journey to find closure, showing how the ordeal made him more cynical and changed him deeply.

"Banned" is a touching and straightforward account of the lasting damage caused by social media trials. It highlights Boria Majumdar’s unwavering pursuit of truth despite overwhelming challenges. It's an eye-opening book.
Profile Image for myliteraryworld.
154 reviews7 followers
May 11, 2024
Boria Majumdar unveils the chilling repercussions of social media backlash triggered by a single tweet. Majumdar's narrative exposes the harsh reality of online trial by social media, where he faced unjust condemnation without a fair chance to present his side. Spanning two tumultuous years of silence and public scrutiny, Majumdar vividly portrays the devastating toll on his family and career. ‘Banned’ serves as both a personal catharsis and a powerful cautionary tale urging for empathy and ethical journalism in the digital era. Majumdar's courageous account sheds light on the human cost of virtual judgments, advocating for accountability and fairness in online discourse.
Profile Image for Sayani.
357 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2025
♠️This book first captured my interest because from Amber Heard to Rhea Chakraborty we have seen how the social media declare its own narrative of who's a victim and who's a perpetrator even before the legal system does which is aptly given the title of social media trial where we hardly get to see the other aide of the story.
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♠️This book also covers one of the controversial events that led to Mr. Boria Majumdar who is an Indian sports journalist, sports historian and writer got banned for 2 years by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2022 for allegedly threatening a reputed cricketer and finally now he has come out with his side of the story and narrates the version of the events unfolded for him in this book after the ban has ended in 2024.
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♠️This book comes with the very raw and personal account of the author narrating about the nightmarish time he went through when there were millions of tweets of abuse for days and not only those came towards him but also his family and all because of some false and tactically concealed published messages published by a cricketer of repute though the book doesn't mentions the name of the cricketer one can do a little digging in the internet to get the background of it.
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♠️Social media is a popular be it for bringing out the truth or manipulating it. Generally used of the later and specially if you are someone with huge dedicated following the marking your words as truth won't be difficult when you have a loyal fanbase to jump on the bandwagon of hate without putting the thought and mind into considering what is being shown is the ultimate truth or not without any investigation or judgement and sometimes even at the face of truth one has to bend their opinions according to opinions of netizens because of image issue.
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♠️Though many times this social media brings about good like in case of the recent pune-porsche incident but it also has the power to destroy career, personal life, mental health etc and drastically impact someone's life who is innocent like happens in this case. The author loses his peaceful life, faced harassment both upon himself and his family, lost people who were once close to him all because of an distorted tweet posted out of context to import false messages and the narrative therefore curved out of it by the social media trial.
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♠️This book in its elaborate and raw narrative acts as an eye-opener for the controversy and becomes the closure while owning the narrative which turned his life upside down since the media fed on the cricketer's narrative and turned the witch hunt on him. The writing was very easily comprehensible one written in a documentary style that felt like a heartfelt conversation with the author releasing pent up emotions, bringing about incredible insights portraying an unwavering determination to tell this side of the story. Loved reading this book and would recommend everyone who has witnessed the controversy of 2022 or loves reading memoirs.
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